Bobby Freeman was the San Francisco rock-and-roll, spirit, as well as pop vocalist that composed as well as very first videotaped the much-covered “Do You Want To Dance” (later on “Do You Wanna Dance”). Freeman’s original of the track for the Josie tag struck the United States graphes in May 1958, a couple of weeks prior to his 18th birthday celebration, as well as took place to a No.5 United States optimal. It was later on included in such movies as American Graffiti in 1973, Big Wednesday (1978) as well as Rock‘n’Roll High School a year later on (1979).

Prolific UK hitmaker Cliff Richard had a No.2 hit there with his 1962 cover, prior to Del Shannon took the track right into the United States Top 50 as well as the Four Seasons videotaped it as a cd track. After that, as “Do You Wanna Dance,” it got to No.12 in America for the Beach Boys, in 1965, with lead vocals by Dennis Wilson.

The Mamas and the Papas did the number on their debut album If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears, then Bette Midler’s slow interpretation gave her a debut US hit in 1972. “Do You Wanna Dance” went on to be covered by John Lennon, T. Rex, the Ramones, and many others. Read more about the history of the song.

Touring with Fats and Jackie

Freeman was born on June 13, 1940, and at 14, he formed the vocal group the Romancers. They recorded two singles for Dootone in 1955, and he later sang with the R&B outfit the Vocaleers. As an African-American rock’n’roller, he toured with Fats Domino and Jackie Wilson, and performed on American Bandstand, among other TV shows.

After the success of his debut hit, Freeman got to No.37 in the US with “Betty Lou Got A New Pair Of Shoes” as well as had several lesser chart entries before hitting No.5 again, in 1964, with “C’mon as well as Swim.” This, and the follow-up “S-W-I-M,” were written and produced by Sly Stone, when he was only 21 and more than three years before his emergence with Sly and the Family Stone.

Freeman’s chart career ended at that point, but he went on to record for such labels as the Warner Brothers subsidiary Loma, after that Double Shot as well as, as R.B. Freeman, for Avco in 1972. He performed in nightclubs in San Francisco, Las Vegas and elsewhere, but had been in retirement for some two decades at the time of his passing. He died of a heart attack on  January 23, 2017 at the age of 76.

For even more terrific hits from an incredible years, pay attention to the 50s playlist. 

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